A LEADING children's cancer expert is urging people to support research into developing new drugs.

Professor Josef Vormoor, head of child health at Newcastle’s Royal Victoria Infirmary, has seen the devastating impact of cancer on hundreds of families.

Now he is backing the Gregg’s Children’s Cancer Run, which raises money for the North of England Children’s Cancer Research fund, in the hope of finding more effective treatments with less serious side-effects.

Prof Vormoor said: “The number of children surviving cancer has massively increased in the last 20 years and still is increasing. But without new drugs, it will be difficult to push the boundaries even further.

“We cover a population of three million and see around 120 newly-diagnosed children a year.

“Luckily in Newcastle all the treatment and research is very centralised, so there are lots of experts around. More than 90% of these children will be cured but we need better medicines which have fewer side-effects.”

Prof Vormoor is urging families to sign up for this year’s Gregg’s Children’s Cancer Run in May as all the money goes towards the North of England Children’s Cancer Research fund.

NECCR was formed in 1979 by a group of parents whose lives had been changed forever by childhood cancer.

Professor Vormoor said: “When the fund was set up, the aim was to really make a difference. If people can take part in the charity run it will help us to support the research that is so necessary.”

Doctors are hoping they will soon move into the new children’s cancer centre, in the Great North Children’s Hospital.